Weeks 43 & 44 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Today (9th November) marks the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. World leaders are gathered in Berlin to celebrate the occasion.

Walls were traditionally built to protect against invading enemies. The most famous example is the Great Wall of China. But in a modern era, walls are often built to separate and divide communities of different ideologies such as the one in Berlin (between communism and capitalism) and the one in Gaza (between Jews & Muslims).

But more and more, walls are coming down. Communities are encouraged to live together in harmony. Through education, the younger generations are more tolerant of differences and they learn to respect people of different racial, social and religious background. It appears to be a good and healthy development. But, behind the scene is a hidden agenda that is subtle and sinister!

Interestingly the “green” agenda has also been used to bring people of different religious background together. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the United Nations, recently attended a faith-and-ecology celebration in Windsor Castle, where he told an audience of gorgeously attired Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Daoists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Shintos and Sikhs that “you are the leaders who can have the largest, widest and deepest reach” when warning people about climate change. Religions, he said, had established or helped to run half of the schools in the world; they were among the world’s largest investors; and the global output of religious journalism was comparable at least to Europe’s secular press.

Deception can indeed be very subtle. In the name of saving the planet, good-hearted faithful and unfaithful are joined together to advance an agenda allowed by God and keenly pursued by Satan to achieve what will ultimately be a One World System. Do not rejoice when it happens!

This is why preaching “Jesus as the only way to heaven” will be increasingly unpopular and difficult. Anything seen to divide and alienate communities will be isolated and destroyed (Islamic extremism is one example that the world is joining hands in eradicating). Only the power of God can help the Gospel and His Kingdom advance until the full number has come in [Matt. 24:14 & Rom. 11:25]. The key is to ask God to “……teach me your decrees. Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. [Ps 119:25-32 NIV]

For those who are still weary with sorrow, be encouraged to know that one day true peace and harmony will come when we get to heaven. Just like the time when the Israelites no longer had to wander in the desert, "Since the LORD, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem for ever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.”……They were……to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening…..” [1 Chron 23:25-32 NIV] There will be no more wandering (in the spiritual desert) in heaven where we will experience rest in the Heavenly Father.

While we are on this side of eternity, the only division we should avoid is division in the Body of Christ. Apostle Paul did not mince word when he told the Church of Corinth that “In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you….No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval…….For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognising the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick…….But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment… [1 Cor 11:17-34 NIV]

Therefore, “pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?.... [Prov 22:17-29 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 41 & 42 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

On Saturday 17 October, I officiated the wedding ceremony of our elder son Nic & Wai Wa. Because of work commitment, Kim & I departed from London after work on Thursday night, arriving in Hong Kong on Friday evening, and the wedding was on the next day. I prayed for a good night sleep!

On Saturday morning, Kim & I woke up at around 6am. We decided to stay in bed and prayed in agreement for the whole day’s proceeding. I sensed God’s presence throughout.

The wedding was held at the Canadian International School, Nic's place of work. The ceremony was conducted in a large space with nice high ceiling and a large terrace. It was excellent for the service and for refreshments afterwards. Nic invited the children from his class (Reception 1). Over twenty 3 – 4 years old children turned up with their parents, all dressed up smartly for the occasion. One little blonde haired girl came in a flowery cheungsam (Suzie Wong dress) because the Mum was expecting a “Chinese” wedding! All the children were so cute and well-behaved.

The evening reception was held in Helena May, a women club housed in a colonial building on Garden Road. The venue was cosy and beautiful, a great setting for a western wedding reception. The friends of Nic & Wai Wa put together a very interesting programme, which included a very nice video of Nic & Wai Wa. The food was buffet style, with a quality that rivalled that of a 5 star hotel. The choices of dessert were also wonderful. It was a brilliant idea because we had guests from all kinds of background and culture. Everyone was able to find something to suit one’s taste bud.

Looking back, I can see God’s hand and blessing on the wedding day. I was surprised how alert I was and practically unaffected by jet-lag throughout the whole day. Also, everything went better than expected. All praises and thanksgiving to God!

As parents, Kim & I are absolutely delighted (and relieved) that both our sons are now married and we have 2 beautiful daughters (in law) added to the family. Our younger son Ben took a picture of Kim & I relaxing at home after the wedding and someone commented that it was a picture of 2 contented parents with both their kids finally married. Funny, but true :o).

I am also thankful to God for His amazing provision, and I am not referring to our sons’ wives, although they are God-sent. The fact that God miraculously opened a door for me to work in my civil engineering profession again some 4 years ago allowed me to comfortably finance the 2 weddings!

It is interesting to note that the middle of the Bible is also the shortest chapter in the whole Bible. Yet it encapsulates the essence of what all creatures should do with our lives. “Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.” [Ps 117:1,2 NIV] The psalmist (possibly King David) reflects the correct attitude and heartbeat towards our great God through these simple words.

King David also demonstrated his words in action in wanting to build a great house for the Lord. Although God told him that it will be his son Solomon who will build the house, David did his utmost in preparation and supply of materials and labour. “Then David said, "The house of the LORD God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel."……. David said to Solomon: "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God…… "Now, my son, the LORD be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the LORD your God, as he said you would. May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave to Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. "I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. You have many workmen: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work in gold and silver, bronze and iron — craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you." …….Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD." [1 Chron 22:1-19 NIV]

Our devotion and humility before God stem from the fact that it is God who made us. All we have in material possessions, talents, health, career, families etc are from Him. Hence our boasting is in the Lord. “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." [1 Cor 1:26-31 NIV]

Only God is wise. His advice and instruction are the best. Therefore “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails……..The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble……..Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” [Prov 19:20-29]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 39 & 40 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

As we journey towards the end of the Age and look forward to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to distinguish between the agenda of God and the agenda of man. This will help us to remain focused in God’s work and the advancement of His Kingdom, and to know how we best spend our time and resources.

Today (Friday 9th Oct.) at 1231 BST, NASA crashed two unmanned spacecraft into the Moon in a bid to detect the presence of water-ice. The $79m (£49m) mission is called LCROSS (the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite). NASA scientists were hoping to find water-ice in the impact plume, because a supply of water on the Moon would be a vital resource for future human exploration. LCROSS was to have helped paved the way for US astronauts to return to the Moon by 2020. This search for life or life-supporting elements in the universe besides planet earth is a clear denial of God’s original creation found in the 1st chapter of the Bible. It is also an agenda of man that chooses NOT to believe in God the Creator, not to mention the total waste of money at a time of financial crisis.

This news was eclipsed by the award of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples, for his vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons, for creating a new climate in international politics whereby dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts, for USA playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting, for strengthening democracy and human rights and for giving the people of the world hope for a better future.”

To those who long for world peace, these are noble initiatives indeed!

But to the discerning, it is in reality an agenda of man, paving the way to a period of false peace before the Anti-Christ reveals himself. This is not to infer that President Obama is necessarily the Anti-Christ. He and many other modern history-makers, are merely paving stones for the eventual arrival of the Anti-Christ himself.

Recently I preached on a message about “Faith that sees the Final Difference” based on [Heb. 11:29]. Somehow, unbelievers seem to be better off than believers [Ps 73:2-5] in the present world, until we see the final difference [Ps 73:16-19]. Yes, in the face of struggle, believers can find strength in [Ps 112:1-8 NIV] – “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered for ever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”

When we have acquired the faith to see the final difference, we will have the confidence to “sing to the LORD….proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling-place.….ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name……Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"…..Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures for ever. Cry out, "Save us, O God our Saviour; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise." [1 Chron 16:23-36 NIV]

Apostle Paul understood that only God is wise. He urged his brothers “to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. ……Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him — to the only wise God be glory for ever through Jesus Christ! Amen. [Rom 16:17-20, 25-27 NIV]

God has also granted King Solomon lots of wisdom, which are recorded in the Book of Proverbs. Little gems include “A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke…..Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice…..The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death…..He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. [Prov 13:1,10,14,20 NIV]

Amen!

Weeks 37 & 38 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the spirit of man, the spirit of Satan and the Spirit of God and how man’s spirit can be influenced by the other two. The truth is that our maturity in Christ is a direct product of that influence.

There is a huge battle going on in the Heavenly, with God trying to protect and guide His people and Satan trying to destroy and misguide God’s people. The weapons are respectively Faith and Fear.

The Spirit of God is humility, submissiveness and interdependence. The spirit of Satan is pride, rebellion and independence. They are the exact opposite of one another. And the spirit of man is being pulled in both directions, depending on the will of man and the man’s daily walk.

I shared about the 3 priorities in the world today (God’s, Satan’s and ours) in a recent leadership teaching and I passionately believe that they are the keys to our victory in Christ in an increasingly secular world.

Dan Brown (author of Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons) made the headline again with his latest book “A Lost Symbol”. The prologue to the book was an initiation ceremony of Freemasonry – a man willingly welcomed a death curse upon his own life! The book sold over 300,000 copies in the first 36 hours of release in the UK.

We are what we eat, naturally and spiritually. For our well-being, we need to differentiate between what is good and what is junk. Sadly, junk food, whether natural or spiritual, seems always more appealing and "tasty"!

The Word of God is good food for our soul. It is a light to our path, a lamp to our feet. Different books in the Bible are there for special purposes, offering us various aspects of God’s instructions to us.

The Book of Psalms shows us man’s relationship with God. Through the psalmists, we see God’s hand and God’s heart. God spoke through the psalmist who and what He is. “Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendour and majesty. How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD [Ps 104:1,24-30,33-34 NIV]. They teach us how great our God is and why God deserves our praises and our worship.

Many Christians find some part of the Old Testament uninteresting, not unlike food for patients, esp. chronic ones, often bland & boring. The Book of Chronicles 1 & 2 are such examples. “The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar…… Azariah the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah the father of Jehozadak. Jehozadak was deported when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar……These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them [1 Chron 6:1-3,14-15,31-32 NIV]. Such information, I dare say, is good bedtime reading, esp. for insomnia sufferers.:o) But without them, I would not know the names of the great grandfather, grandfather and father of Aaron, Moses and Miriam! They are a special group of people whom God has chosen to minister before Himself.

The New Testament not only consists of the 4 Gospels that tell the story of Jesus, it also contains a lot of the instructions for believers. Through Apostle Paul, God spoke about the sinfulness of man. “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin [Rom 7:14-25 NIV]. He openly confessed that it is a struggle for man to live for Christ, which further demonstrates how amazing God’s grace and forgiveness is.

The Book of Proverbs is a treasure house of God’s wisdom. Through the writing of the wisest king of all time Solomon, God shares with us His wisdom, as opposed to the wisdom and wickedness of man. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. [Prov 3:1-20 NIV]

May the Word of God continue to help us to know God and build us up in Him. Amen!

Weeks 35 & 36 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I am reading a book on Listening to God. I have read quite a number of books on prayer by big names like Cindy Jacob, Peter Wagner and Yonggi Cho, but I find this one very special. Even the listed price is a humble £3.99.

Deeply influenced by her Dad’s prayer life since young, the writer has grown up communicating with God as a life style. But in the past 9 years before writing this book, she learned to prayerfully listen to God. The book reflects her rich experience of discovering that God is far from silent.

Here is a wonderful testimony of listening to God:

“The Lord….puts His ideas into my mind, and especially His perspectives. He widens my vision, helps me to see what is really important in life, and to distinguish the really important from the unimportant…….He comes to me, in the listening, receptive moments of prayer, and He transfuses His power into me.”

On the chapter “A Taste of Silence”, she stresses the importance of a time of silence before God:

“If we are to witness to Christ in today’s market places, where there are constant demands on our whole person, we need silence. If we are to be always available, not only physically, but by empathy, sympathy, friendship, understanding, boundless caritas, we need silence. To be able to give joyous, unflagging hospitality, not only of house and food, but of mind, heart, body and soul, we need silence.”

I believe many people got burned out serving because they did not have times of silence before God, allowing oneself to be refreshed and rejuvenated. So don’t get offended if a Christian leader prefers to be alone once in a while. :o)

Listening prayer is also a time of openness before God:

“ …to pray is to change….Prayer if it is real is an acknowledgement of ……our openness to be changed…..We face God as we are: sinful, spiritually handicapped and disabled in many ways, chronic patients. And we accept these handicaps and disabilities because He accepts us as we are and because He loves us as we are.”

God indeed speaks to His people. People of God in the Old Testament testified to it. “…….Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them. He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them……O LORD our God, you answered them……..” [Ps 99:1-9 NIV] The key is that these people obeyed God. When we have true relationship with God, in submission & obedience, God will answer us when we called on Him.

Jabez was another great example of a man of God who had a good relationship with God. He was honourable in God’s eyes and God granted his bold request. “Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.” [1 Chron 4:9-10 NIV]. I believe that when our walk with God is right, we can make big petitions to God and He will grant us those requests as long as they are in line with God’s plan.

Prayer is an integral part of our walk with God. Not only are we justified by faith, we also have access to God. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us….” [Rom 5:1-11 NIV]. Through this personal relationship with God, we share in the hope of the glory of God. We also rejoice in our sufferings of being a Christian in a secular world. It is God’s way of refining us in perseverance and character. The end result will be awesome, if we pass the test.

God has not been silent. He has been trying to get our attention. “Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: ‘How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no-one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you — when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. ‘Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.’” [Prov 1:20-33 NIV]. When disaster strikes, stubborn people will have themselves to blame.

Amen!

Weeks 31 - 34 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

It has been quite a busy August, participating in the Euro Leaders Conference (ELC) in Berlin, attending our son Nic’s civil wedding and shopping & eating in Hong Kong, and joining the first Global Conference (GC) of Hope in Singapore and visiting our good friend Sunny and family there. The GC marked a new chapter in Hope after it is rebranded as Hope International Ministries (HIM).

I received a vision during the ELC. I, together with many Hope people, were worshipping God in open air. Rain fell down despite of a blue sky. It was rain of oil, not water. I prophesied that God was pouring a fresh anointing on us in Hope. Then the Word came to me in [Ps. 92:8-15]. “But you, O LORD…..have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured upon me……The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…..planted in the house of the LORD….. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." I prophesied that it was a prophetic Word from the Lord for Pastor Simon (he was in the meeting), who is maturing in age. God will pour fine oils (anointing) on him. God will give him authority and strength (horn of a wild ox) and his ministry will be fruitful even in old age.

I received 2 other visions during the GC. In the first, I saw a lot of people, many in darkness with light shining on some – they were born-again Christians. But many of the Christians had their heads hung low, and only a few were joyful and confident. God was telling us that we need a new understanding in God’s ways, which will allow us to experience a victorious Christian walk through God’s love and His power when we walk by faith. In the second, I was sitting in the passenger seat of a car that was moving at a frighteningly high speed and it was moving faster & faster, but God was driving it. God was telling us the time we are in, moving faster as the end is approaching. Many happenings in the world will also frighten us. But if we move with God, we will find peace and security instead of fear and anxiety.

I believe the 3 visions were exhortations and encouragement from God as we start afresh as a Movement, moving forward victoriously and with confidence, trusting in God’s presence and His power.

I also turned 61 this month. I count myself blessed to be living in a time such as this, witnessing the final chapter of the human history unfolding. I thank God for the strength and passion that He bestows on me in serving Him at my advanced age. And I am continually amazed at His favour upon my personal life, and my church & market place ministries. All of the above cause me to look forward to living each day with excitement and expectation.

The new understanding allows us to be victorious because ‘If you make the Most High your dwelling…..then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways……You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."’ [Ps 91:9-16 NIV]

Going forward, we will need more of God’s power & miracles. As I was turning 61, I read God’s Word about King Hezekiah who became ill and was about to die. He was saddened that God told him so. ‘“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.'" Then Isaiah said, "Prepare a poultice of figs." They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered. Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the LORD on the third day from now?" Isaiah answered, "This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps?" "It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps," said Hezekiah. "Rather, have it go back ten steps." Then the prophet Isaiah called upon the LORD, and the LORD made the shadow go back the ten steps it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.’ [2 Kings 20:2-11 NIV]. Yes, I also asked God to grant me another 15 strong years in serving Him, but I do not need any sign from God. I just claim it in Jesus Name. :o)

Apostle Paul is a great example for us who wants to serve God at a time such as this. He was sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He preached the gospel despite of great opposition. He was tent-making and he considered it more blessed to give than to receive. “….Paul….said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you….I served the Lord with great humility and with tears…..I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you…..compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace…… Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood……. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" [Acts 20:17-35 NIV].

Here are some words of wisdom that will guide and enlighten us. “It is to a man's honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel…...Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him……A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much…..If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness…..A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?” [Prov 20:3,5-7,19,20,24,25,27 NIV]

Amen!

Weeks 29 & 30 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

The high number of deaths and increased injury rates in the war in Afghanistan has focused the minds of the British public recently. British forces suffered their highest injury rate this month since the mission began in 2001, new Ministry of Defence figures show. A total of 57 UK troops were wounded in action in the first two weeks of July alone, compared with 46 in the whole of June and 24 in May. Of the injuries in the first 15 days of July, 16 service personnel were seriously or very seriously wounded. July has also seen the most deaths - some 22 - since operations began.

The rise in injuries and deaths came as coalition forces completed the first phase of their heaviest offensive yet - Operation Panther's Claw - against the Taliban ahead of elections on 20 August.

Along with 38 UK personnel who were admitted to field hospitals suffering from disease or a non-battle injury in the first two weeks in July, there have now been some 2,650 casualties in Afghanistan since the start of MoD records in 2006.

A military surgeon told the BBC that treating the dying and wounded resulting from Operation Panther's Claw had proved a "very challenging" time for army medical teams. Lt Col Nigel Tai said: "We have certainly seen a surge in casualties. It is difficult to see young, fit guys who may have to have multiple amputations. "We try to salvage limbs, but at the same time we have to preserve life."

A spokesman for the Stop the War campaign said government assertions about the success of anti-Taliban operations were rendered "absurd" by the rising casualty figures. "The British military under-estimated the strength of the Taliban forces opposing them when they launched this offensive," he said. "These figures show just how unwinnable this war is."

The war in Afghanistan is one piece of the million pieces of puzzles that form the end-time picture.

The Bible predicts that ‘You will hear of wars and rumours of wars…..Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ……."Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come’ [Matt. 24:6-14 NIV]. It is not a time to get worried. It is a time to stand firm. It is a time to preach the gospel of the kingdom in the whole world.

We may not understand a lot of things that are happening around us. Everything seems uncertain. But one thing is certain. God has promised a coming King in the line of David (Jesus Christ) and a coming Kingdom under Him that will endure forever. “…….I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him……I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure....... I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness-- and I will not lie to David--that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." [Ps 89:19-37 NIV]

I am always fascinated by the anointing of God. It empowers us to do great things for God. All God’s servants who are successful are anointed. Elisha was given a double portion of anointing. Even touching the bones of his dead body caused a dead person to come back to life. “…...... Now Elisha was suffering from the illness from which he died……..Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet. [II Ki 13:14-21 NIV]. Wow, that was amazing anointing and power!

We also see God’s anointing in the 1st Century Church apostles. “In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them……..” [Acts 14:8-18 NIV]. The key to note is they did not claim the glory to themselves but gave it all to God for their success.

The LORD is the source of our success, wisdom, prosperity and blessings. He alone is to be worshipped and adored and revered. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed…..The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him……In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps……Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. [Prov 16:1,3,5-7,9,11,20 NIV]

Amen!